Gas and liquid pumping and separating apparatus



i 1944- P. s. MORGAN Y 2,350,061

GAS AND LIQUID PUMPING AND SEPARATING APPARATUS Filed Au 8 1942 a Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Brie 2- 3 07:94 7? y 1944- P. s. MORGAN 2,350,061

GAS AND LIQUID PUMPING AND SEPARATING APPARATUS .F iled Aug. 8, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR B7797 J? Mayan ATTORN Patented May 30, 1944 GAS AND LIQUID PUMPING AND SEPARAT- ING APPARATUS Porter S. Morgan, -Westport; Conn, assignor to American Brake Shoe Company, a'corporation of Delaware Application August 8, 1942, SerialNo. 454,126

:12 Claims.

This invention relates to pumping apparatus ofa typeparticularly applicable to servicein vac- *uum heating systems, or to other duty wherein it is desired to supply a main pump, such-as a centrifugal, with air-free liquid. .It is directly con- =cerned with pumping apparatus embodying an auxiliary or primer pump, by means of which suitable suction may be maintained at the inlet of the main liquid pump, with the concurrent elimination of airwhich would tend -to destroy the suction and interfere with the liquid pump operation.

Here'tofore in theart of self-priming centrifugalsyit has been proposed to'provide an auxiliary pump, in the form of a jet or ejector, rotary pump, or the like, connected to the'centrifugal in such'man'ner that the liquid to be pumped thereby is freed from entrained air. priming centrifugals have been proposed for use invacuum heatingsystems, wherein considerable quantities of --air are included in the --Water. 'In

I such systems, the-idea is to pull the steam "valves leadingdrorn" the radiators to the return manifold, andthe pumping equipment connected to the return line in such manner as to withdraw the returns, composed of the condensed steam and admi-Xe'dair, shake out-the air, anddeliv'erthe water again to the boiler. This is a --well known system, referred to here i as illustrative'of the uses of thepresent invention, without, however,-intending to suggest that the invention -may not 'be applied to various otherduties.

"In the development of this art over the past thirty years, considerable attention has been given to the design "and characteristics of the wacuum-creating, or priming pump member.

Since .thereisno advantage in delivering air to ithe'boiler, elimination of all incondensible reutu'rns is indicated. :Moreover, centrifugalpumps lose their :prime .when the inlet is clogged with 'air, .the centrifugal will create a suction when 1 acting on water alone, but williailto'maintain -.cuit atan-ytime, the :duty of handling rbothair -andawater. is thrust upon the lprimer'onauxiliary pump. This is a severe "task, "as a good water pump may not be a 'good air pump, and vice versa. For these, and other reasons, it maybe surmised that the heart of "the jsystem is in the primer, and if it is ineflicientthe systemi isalso. LOI the numerous types-of primers which have been devised, the jet and various. forms of rotary .pumps appear :to have survived ,in commercial practice, although they are not perfect as a matter of pure engineering. in general, thefjetis rather inefiicient and has a limited capacitjy, while the commercial ,folms of movable-parts primers are relatively expensive, and are otherwise objectionable. "In the present invention,

[liguid-airratioin such returns.

In one aspect, .the present invention .is embodiedin aprimeripump or fair s'eparatorjadapted to. be associated with the :ma'inliquid pump, comprising va substantial number of chambers adapted .to contain water'xor other liquid, and which are successively connected to .the .ietuin line, as the water in each is withdrawn, "to create .a vacuum. vThosechambers which are notso connected to theretiirn line are either dormant .at the moment, or .arjebeingfflooded with water to expel such air asmaybe-ftherein, so.that,.when they in turn are connected to the return, the withdrawal of .the water'will continue -to apply the vacuum or reduced ,pressure. The selection of the several chambers for v ;inducting the .re-

turns, assuming-anidle status,..,oripreparing (for service, is efiected'by meanszot-positivel-yoperated valves governing .the events occurring in each 1 of thechambers.

.The -Water.vo1umes which enteror. drain from ,thechambers thus ,become liquid pistons, operating either ,toexpel air, or-to induce a .fio'w; of :air and water. --Beca use ,of thenature oil-the pistons,

they need no packing or'otherattention, and the pump of, which :they iorm Ian operative part ,is

effective on "air, and .water or-thegtwo combined in any proportion. The water form-ing-the;pistons of all the chambers is fed to and. may be supplied by .the main pump, and any :excess ;is supplied, by the :main p mprt'o ztheboilerroraother delivery point, by discharge past 1-9, check valve. Qther aspects {of the invention :will appear more readily :from a perusalof .the following descriptaken on the lines 4-4 and 55 respectively of Fig. 1, showing the upper and lower port and valve relationships;

Fig. 6 is a schematic view to illustrate the cycle of action within the several chambers of the primer, the chambers beinghere laidout in line rather than radially as in the previous figures; and v Fig."7 is a section vtaken on theline I -l 0 Fig. 2, illustrating the construction of a check valve,

Referring first to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, there will be seen a frame, 16 having mounted thereon a motor ll connected atone end to a centrifugal pump I2 and at the opposite end we speed reduction gear box l3. 'A"cylindr'ical tank assembly, generally designated by the numeral M, is mounted on the frame l6 above the speed reducer, and certain parts contained in the tank are driven by the motor through the reducer |3 by means of a countershaft 15. The 'tank assembly M composes theprimer pump and air separating constituents of ,theapparatus, while the centrifugal 7 I Zis employed as the main liquid pump.

7 Theupper end of thej'assembly I4 is provided with a fitting to receive apipe l6 which is coupled "tothe returnline 'of'thei'vacuum heating system,

the. suction line of the well, or other point from l which fluid is to 'befwithdrawn. 'I,he' lowe'r end of the assembly |4 i s provided with a cored fitting 'l'! having two spaced lateral taps l8 and I9 "through which liquid may flow from or to the tank. The tap .IB is connected by piping 2| to the inlet or eye 22 of the centrifugalpump l2,

is'coupled'to a T '24 which. leads both to and ja way from the tank M, One branch of the T is "coupled to thetap ig through piping 25 and a "shut-off valve 26, while the opposite branch is coupled to piping 21, including a check valve not shown, which leads to the boiler or other delivery point.

outlet opening l8, and from the pump |2the water may fi'owfeither to the tank |4,'or to the main delivery point, or both, depending on the quantity and how the valves are set; Liquid returned to the tank assembly I4 is essentially intended to :'create the water pistons heretofore mentioned, while-any excess thereover, coming in through the pipe I6, is the liquid to be pumped to some extraneous point.

r The tank assembly l3 comprises'a lower cylindrical member 3|, which, as best shown in Fig. 2,

is'radially divided into six chambers 32 by webs 33. These webs converge at the center into a tube .34 which is conically flared at both upper The circuit just outlined is such, therefore, thatwhatever there is to be pumped enters the tank assembly l4 through the inlet fitting I 6, and here lany entrained air is separated, aswill be described more fully directly. Water in the tank 'l l'flows'to the centrifugal pump I2 through the and 35 respectively. The lower portion of the member 3| is formed with a conical bottom 31 which merges into the flared wall 36, except for spaced apical openings 38 each providing an entrance into its associated chamber 32. These openings 38 each communicate with a duct 39, formed between the lower portion of the tube 34 and the bottom 3?. The lower portion of the tube 34, as it will be noticed from Figs. 1 and 3,

is provided with a second flared section 4|, gen- "erally concentric with the tapered bottom 31, and

the ducts 39 are formed by suitable coring. Each duct 39 is brought down toward the apex by the formation of the wall 4|. The bottom wall 31, at this-region, is cut away and is finish ground to provide a conicalseating portion 42, and a pad 43 which supports the fitting ll. The sections ;of the ducts 39 adjacent the seating portion 42 while the discharge opening 123 of the centrifugal and lower ends, as indicated by the numerals 75 constitute port openings, regularly spaced in a circumferential direction, and sweeping out sixty degrees of arc less whatever is required for the walls of the ducts. Through these, liquid may enter or leave the chambers 32, depending upon conditions. I

The upper flared wall 35 does not merge into the side wall of the cylinder 3|, but is stopped off as an annulus 45, whose margin is finished to provide a pad, and whose upper wall is also finished to form a conical seat 46. The wall 35 is also formed with six openings 41, one for each .chamber 32, regularly spaced around the circumference and in alignment with the port openings of the ducts 39. These are also shown in Fig. 4. Liquid and air may enter the chambers 32 through the openings 41, but they differ functionally from the openings in the ducts 39, in that reverse flow through the openings 41 need not occur.

A second substantially cylindrical tank 5| is mounted on top of the cylinder 3|, resting on the pad of the annulus 45 and an internal flange 52 on the wall of the tank 3|. The tank 5| is formed with a bottom wall 53, covering the openings 54 of the chambers 32, and provided with a raised central portion 55 which is formed with a pair of radial seats 56 and 51 and a cap section 58. Referring primarily to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the central portion 55 communicates with a cored duct 59 which extends radially to the outer ;wall of the cylinder to provide the fitting for the inlet pipe l6. Thus, the returns entering the apparatus through the pipe I6 fiow through the central portion .55 for distribution to the various port openings 47 for the chambers 32, while in somewhat similarmanner the lower portions of the chambers 32 are placed in communication with the liquid pump [2 through the fitting I1.

With this description of the chambers and l-their ports and manifolds, reference will now be made to the valve arrangements whereby they are brought into play. It will be noted that the countershaft l5, which is driven by the motor II at a relatively low speed, extends up through the fitting l1 and above the central portion 55, passing through the tube34. This shaft carries at each end a rotary valve whose positionsdetermine the instantaneous condition .of the chambers 32. The lower valve 6| (see also Fig. 5) comprises a conical surface 62 having an upper cylindrical extension 63 which is pinned and keyed to the shaft l5 prior to final assembly of the apparatus. The valve 6| also has a short depending cylindrical skirt 64 and a long skirt 65, whoseouter wallstare concentric with the shaft l5. These skirts respectively bear in apertu r'es 'formedronithe upper side of the #fitting ll,

and i an internal dividing wall F 615 which separates the openings [8 and =l9 fromeach other.

The-conicalsurface fl is cut away or-is formed to provide two valve openings 6 1. and 68, each subtending substantially 120 and spaced from each other by arcs of substantially 60. One opening communicates with the space within the skirt 6 5, while the other opening communicates with -the space between the skirt 65 andthe skirt 64, and therefore each valve opening BI-or 68 provides communication'with the opening 19 or the opening I'8. 'As shown in Fig. 5, and also "in Fig. 1, the arrangement here is such that valve "opening El is in communication with the liquid :line 25, while the opening 68 is in communication with the 1mm I.

The conical surface 52, when in assembled position, bears on the ground surface Q2 of the lower wall 31. As the openings 39 in this wall "are-spaced sixty degrees, and since the openings .61 and GB sweep out twice that arc, it will be apparent that, at any moment of rotation, each opening provides communication between two -circumferent-iallyadjacent chambers 32 and the connected pipe line 2| or 25, and each pair of such chambers is spaced from the other pair by one interjacent chamber 32 which, at .the moment, is idle. As "the valve rotates, the status I of these chambers'changes accordingly.

The uppervalve'member H is generally similar'ftothe lower valve '61, except that it has only one'port, instead of two, and therefore so much of "the description as is common need not be repeated. As a. practical matter, the upper and a only one need be made in the-upper valve. The

conical surfaces and bearing portions of the upper valve ll seat on the surfaces 46. 5%,and 51*in a manner comparable to that just described. In Fig. 4,'there is shown in plan the upper conical surface '46 with the inlet openings 41, and

it :will be understood that, except for the difference in ports, the views of Figs. 4 and 5 may beregarded'as separate views of themating surfaces of *both valve assemblies.

In assembling the valve structure, the lower valve 61 is first located on the shaft 15, and then in the fitting, and the shaft, valve,and 'fittingare, inserted up through the bottom of the tank 3|, The upper valve 1! is thenpositioned on the shaft l5, and iskeyed thereto, but not pinned. Then the upper cylinder 5| is dropped into place, andacollar T4 located over the, shaft end around the valve extremity and the surface of the upper portion 58. A coiled spring and-securing nut 16 are then added and adjusted was to hold the valves in position ,-with-a minimum offriction or leakage losses.

The unplugged-opening of the uppervalve H is'aligned with theopening 63 of the lower valve, and thus the opening in the upper valve connects the return line 16 to that pair of chambers 32 which are connected to the pipe 2| leading to the inlet of the centrifugal pump l2;

Prior to positioning the upper chamber 5|, a hollow ball 81' may be placed in each chamber 32; This ball is ofsuch size as to seat in the opening 38 when the liquid level drops, and it thus functions as a safety device o valve to prevent total drainage of the liquid contents.

-The ballnat'u-rally finds its seat by rolling down th'eco'nical walls EB and $37 and when the liquid level rises, it floats around on the top of the water. Because the ball cannot interfere with anything, it need not'be guided. .The bottom wall 5? of the upper-tank 51 is provided with --siX uniformly spaced taps, each "of which receives a check valve 82, shown section in :Fig. '7. 'lhese are located over-the openings 56 ofthechambersdt, and serve -to permit air to escape therefrom. =Each valve ll2-consists of a threaded stem 83 having a bore' M and a shoulder 85, the lower part of the stem being screwedinto the wall 53,-and tl-1eupper part 'receiving.a cap 86. Thecap, which encloses-a ball 8] seating on the stem end to close the bored,

.is formed with two sideopenings dill anda top opening :89. When air; or water, 'pushes up through the bore 8d,.the ball 81 is displaced to permit 'fiow'into the upper cylinder -5 l, but when there is no upward pressure, the ball seats by gravity, and thus closes the opening 84. l h'e free passageway "around the ball within the cap is adequate to permit rap-id escape of air, but it offers increased resistance to the fiow oi water, and hence limits the amount of water which can enter the upper cylinder 5i.

I he upper cylinder 5| :is provided with a floa't valve assembly for returning water to the chamrbe'rs For this purpose, the :bottom wall 53 is formed with :a'boss 9| which has a cored duct 92 leading to the inlet duct 59 (see Fig. 2). A valve unit 93 is mounted on top c-f the boss 94, and it is made up of a slotted pastas, to-wlhich .a leverarm 95 is pivoted. The carries a float :ball 96, and thus lifts and lowers .in re sponseto the liquid level in the .cylindertl. A stem '97, having a valve at. at its lower end, lie carried by the-lever 95, and is guided in the pos't 94 to abut a valve .port 99 which communicates with the duct 92. Thus, when the ifioat ball is lifted, water may drain from the uppercylinder back into the inlet line '59 for return to the chambers-32, and whenthe ball drops, the pathway is closed.

The cylinder 5| is covered by a plate HH formed with a boss Hi2 which is looatedin alignment with the boss 91. A valve body 193 is pofsitioned in the boss. Ill-2 to encircle the upperend of the stem 91 anda second valve element HM. When the float arm 95 isdown. the valve .lMis removed from its seat in the body I03, and hence air entering .theupper cylinder mayflowrfree'ly to'atmosphere. As the float arm raisesto open the valvesli, the upper valve I04 approaches its seat, and closes against it shortly after the lower valve has opened. This precludes the escape of water to the atmosphere, and tends to build up a pressure within the cylinder 5| aiding'the rapid -drainage of the water back into the chambers 3'2.

In order to simplify an explanation of theoper- -ati0n,refere.nce will be made to Fig. 6, in which the system is shown somewhat schematically, and like reference numerals have been employed for the functional parts corresponding to those just described. The six chambers 32 of the tank assembly It are shown in line, and each'has been given an identifying reference character, such as 32a, 3212, etc. Only the lower valve 6! is shown, and-its twoports have been '50 located that drainage port 68 spans chambers-b and 0, while the flooding port 6'! spans chamber e and j. Clockwise rotation will be assumed.

Recalling that the valve BI is positively driven by the motor II' at a low speed compared to the speed of'the centrifugal .pump 12, it will-beseen,

that, at'the instant depicted, chambers b and c are connected through port 68 and pipe line 2| to the inlet of the centrifugal, and hence the liquid entering the centrifugal flows in from these chambers. At the same instant, due to the alignment of the single port in the uppervalve H with the port 68, these same chambers are also connected to the return line 16. Hence, as long as these chambers are so ported, whatever there is in the return line l6 may flow through chambers b and c to the liquid pump.

The returns consist, in all probability, of a mixture of water and air, and, as the chambers 32 are of appreciable size, the air separates from the water and occupies the clear space above it. At this same instant, the discharge side of the centrifugal pump I2 is connected, through the branch 25 and the port 67, to chambers e and f, and thus some of the discharge water will flow into these chambers, flooding them, and expelling contained air through the appropriate ball check valves 82. Excess water flows through the branch 21 to the delivery point.

A few moments later, however, due to the rotation of the valves GI and H, chambers c and d will be connected to the drain port 68, while chambers and a will be connected to the flooding port 67. As the valve continues to rotate, one chamber of each pair will thus go out of service to be replaced by the next in line, and hence the several chambers are successively called into play to serve as supply chambers, or receivers, for the liquid.

At the instant illustrated, therefore, chamber a is dormant, having just gone out of service as a supply chamber, and accordingly its liquid volume is low. Chamber (1, which previously had been open to the discharge of the liquid pump, is flooded and also dormant except as the supernatant air may continue to escape. The other chambers contain intermediate quantities of liquid, depending on the length'of time they have been connected to the valve ports. The action thus continues around the circle of chambers, with the water acting as pistons, creating suction on theline [6 when it drains, and forcing out the previously separated air when it enters. Because of the porting arrangement, each chamber, when draining, can contribute to three other chambers located at least one intervening chamber away.

i The valve 26, located in the line-25 through which water is returned to the chambers 32, should be adjusted as conditions change, so that no more water enters the receiving chambers than is required to provide the pistons. son for this will be apparent upon considerin the variations occurring in the air and water ratio in the returns. If only air is being returned,

The reathen there is no excess of water to be delivered to the delivery branch 21, and everythingdraining from chambers b and c isneeded to supply the Water pistons for chambers e and ,f. This is one extreme condition, and at this time the valve 26 should be opened, so that all the water can flow where it will do the most good.

If only water is being returned, it will flood chambers 11 and c as fast asthey drain, since the upper inlet port and lower drain ports are in line. Hence, when chambers b and 0 take the e and ,f, or flooding positions, they need no water, and at this time the valve26 may as well be closed, so that the water cannot accumulate, but is diverted through the branch 21.

The more usual condition is, however, a mixture of air and water, so that chambers b and 0 do not drain completely, but retain whatever fraction of their total volume maybe supplied by the return water. When they are in turn opened to the line25, they therefore need only a percentage of their volume to make up the water pistons, for otherwise, they would tend to be surcharged with water which would be expelled through the valves 82 without doing any useful work. Accordingly, at this time, the valve 26 should be partially closed so as to throttle the line and limit the supply.

tial to operation, and therefore further discussion of this point will not be made.

It will be seen that the group of chambers, operating with water as described, constitutes a multiplex positive displacement reciprocatory pump whose mechanical wearing parts consist solely of the two valves M and 'H. Since the bearing surfaces are constantly flooded with water, and minor leakage losses over the surfaces do not interfere with operation, it is apparent that such apparatus has a long life and will require but little attention. Moreover, due to the multiplicity of cylinders or chambers 32, and the fundamental nature of the action, the pump runs with practically no pulse, thus bringing its characteristic in this respect into harmony with the characteristic of the centrifugal pump l2. The large number of chambers moreover provide a high volumetric space for the separation of air, and accordingly the unit, considered as an air separator, has a high capacity. It should also be remembered that the unit, considered as a pump, will operate effectively on air, or water, or both, in any ratio, and with varying total quantities.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides a relatively inexpensive and effective way in which to separate mixtures of air and water with concurrent delivery of the water to a main liquid pump, and that the invention may be utilized to advantage in numerous applications. It will also be understood that while the' invention has been described with reference to one specific embodiment thereof, it is not limited thereto, but is susceptible of numerous modifications and rearrangements, all of which are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the following claims.

Iclaim: r l. A gas and liquid pumping and separatin apparatus comprising a plurality of chambers each having an-inlet for a mixture of gas and liquid, means for connecting each of suchychambers in turn to the mixture to charge each chamber therewith, duct means for each chamber through which liquid entering from the inlet may be withdrawn and through which gas-free liquid may be supplied to each chamber, movable valve means for successively opening and closing the duct means whereby each chamber may be drained and may thereafter be flooded with liquid entering through said duct means, said inlet connecting means and said movable valve means operating in timed relationship whereby a chamber being flooded is discon nected from said inlet, a relief port for each chamber through which gas and adventitious liquid may escape during the flooding of the chamber, and means for recovering such advenduct means at thebottom of the chambersthrough which gas-freeliquid may enter to flood the chambers and'gas-free liquid may also drain from' the chambers; other inlet; means at the top of the chambers through which mixed gas;

and liquid may enter the chambers and separated gas may leave the chambers, rotary valve means for controlling the opening and closing of the ducts and inlets through, which liquid may enter and leave the chambers, said valve means being formed with ports fixedly related to each other whereby, when any chamber is connected to a source of mixed gas and liquid, the same chamber is closed to the entrance of gas-free flooding liquid, and another of said chambers is open to the floodingliquid andclosedto the mixed, liquid, said named chambers being spaced by an interveningchamber closed-to both mixed and flooding liquid, and meansfor progressively changing the positions of the ports with respect. to the chambers in successive order, whereby one chamber drains tocreate a suction, another floods to create pressure, and the intervening chamber is given a dormant period to assure the, expulsion of'gas'thereinby the pressure theretofore created.

3.. In a gas and liquid pumping ands eparating apparatus, a plurality of chamberseach of which is provided with an inlet for a mixtureof gas and liquid, and duct. means for draining liquid and flooding the chambers with gas-free liquid, valve means for said inlets and ducts successively connecting each chamberto the mixture while connecting the chamber for drainage and simultaneously connecting, another. chamber for flood.-

ing, whereby alternate flooding and drainage of the chambers is efiected withcreation of, suction during draining and creation of pressure during the flooding. phase, vents in. each, chamber through which gas may escapeduring such flooding phase, a recovery vessel in, communication with all of said chambers through said. vents, into which such gas and any adventitious liquid may escape, means in the recovery vessel for discharging the gas entering thereinto, and other means in the recovery vessel for returning the liquid therein to the inlet for the mixture of gas and liquid and to the chamber then connected thereto.

4. In a gas and liquid pumping and separating apparatus, a plurality of chambers provided with openings and ducts and valves therefor whereby each chamber may periodically receive flooding liquid acting as a piston to expel air therein, may

V is aligned therewith, asecond valve member po' sitioned on the other surface, said second valve discharge such liquid to drainage to create a suction piston, and may induce a charge of mixed gas and liquid during drainage to the chamber, a recovery vessel superimposed on all of the chambers, a vent in each chamber through which the air therein flows to the recovery vessel, an inlet line in the vessel through which mixed liquid is supplied to said chambers, a float valve in the Vessel opening in response to accumulations of liquid entering the vessel with the air, a passageway from the float valve to the inlet line whereby accumulated liquid is recovered to the chambers, another air vent in the vessel through which the air entering therein may be discharged from the apparatus, and means in the last named air vent preventing the discharge of the accumulated liquid from th apparatus.

5. Agas and liquid pumping and separating apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical memberdivided into a plurality of, chambers having ducts formed at'the bottom thereof,a valve member positioned at the bottom ofthe member having spaced ports adapted to, be aligned with certain of the ducts and spaced from other ducts at any moment of operation, a shaft connected to the valve member, means forrotating the valve to open and closegthe ducts successively, a, litting positioned adjacent-the valve member and formed with two passagewayameans connecting one passageway with onepcrt of the valve member and the other passageway with another port, and a liquid pump having an inlet connected to one, passageway and. an outlet" connected to,

the other. passageway wherebythe pump may receive liquid from successive chambers and deliver liquid to other successive chambers as the valve shaft is rotated.

6. A gas, and liquid pumping and separating apparatus comprising. a cylinderinternally divided by radiatingwebs into a plurality of chambers, a central tube formed at the junction of the webs extendingfthrough the cylinder, said webs and tube being angularly disposed at the ends ofthe cylinder to form surfaces of ,revolu tion, openings to each chamber formed in each surface, a valvemember positioned on the surface at one end, of the, cylinder, said Valve member 4 having a port, means associated with the valve member to admit mixtures ,of gas and liquid through the port to the chamber whose opening member having two spaced ports adapted 'at any.

time to be aligned with. theppe'flings of two spaced chambers, and a shaft extending through the tube and connected to'thevalve members to operate saidvalve memberin fixed relationship to eachother. Y V

'7. A gas and liquid pumping and separating apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical tank internallyv provided. with radiating webs dividing the tank into a plurality of chambers, a central tube formed at the junction of the webs, openings and ducts formed at the ends of the tank and adjacent the tube, valve members posi tioned adjacent the tubeends andwebs to cover said openings and ducts, one of said valves having a port through which liquid and gas may enter the chambers and the other of said valves having two port openings through which liquid can simultaneously drain from one chamber and enter another spaced chamber, a shaft extending through the tube and supporting said valve members, said shaft aligning the port opening of one valve with a port opening of the other valve, and means for rotating the shaft to advance the valves simultaneously to open and close the openings and ducts of the successive chambers.

8. In a gas and liquid pumping apparatus, a plurality of chambers adapted to receive a mixture of gas and liquid from an extraneous source, ducts for each of said chambers through which liquid entering the apparatus may be drained and gas-free liquid may be flooded into said chambers, valve means covering said ducts, said valve means including spaced ports, one of said ports constituting a drainage port. and another of said ports constituting a flooding port, said valve means and ports being so disposed with respect to said ducts as to couple two chambers in parallel for drainage and two other chambers for flooding, and means for progressively changing the registry of the ports and ducts whereby one is replaced by still another chamber.

9. A gas and liquid pumping and separating apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical tank internally provided with radiating web walls dividing the tank into a plurality of chambers, an opening for-med in each chamber at one end and a duct formed in each chamber at the other end, said ducts and openings each sweeping out arcs less than that of the chamber, a rotary valve positioned at each end of the cylindrical tank to coverthe openings at one end and the ducts at the other end, said valves being formed with ports each of which sweeps out an are overlapping the openings and ports of two adjacent chambers, and means for rotating the valves whereby each chamberwillbe successively coupled in parallel to an adjacent chamber and will thereafter be isolated from the chamber to whichit had just been coupled.

10. A gas and liquid pumping apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical tank formed with radiating webs dividing the tank into six chambers, an opening at one-end of each chainher and a duct at the other. end of each chamber, a valve positioned to cover the openings and another valve positioned to cover the ducts, said first named valve having a port spanning the openings of two adjacent chambers, said other valve having two ports each spanning two adjacent chambers, one of the ports of the other valve being aligned with the port of the first named valve and the other port of the last named a valve being spaced therefrom a chambers arc P 3 means for supplying mixed gas and liquid to the first named valve and means for supplying liquid to and removing liquid from the other valve, and means for rotating the valves in unison toalign the-ports thereof successively with the chambers.

11. A gas and liquid pumping apparatus comprising a substantially cylindrical tank internally provided with radiating webs to divide the tank into a plurality of chambers, an internal tube within the tank at the junction of the webs, said internal tube sloping toward the tank wall at the ends thereof, inlet openings formed in the sloping portion of the tube at one end thereof for each chamber, a valve member positioned over saidopenings, said valve having a port adapted to be aligned with said openings successively, ducts formed in each chamber adjacent the sloping portion of the tube at the opposite end of the tank, a second valve member positioned over said ducts, said second valve member having spaced ports adapted to be aligned with the ducts of spaced chambers successively, means extending through the tube for connecting said valve members for simultaneous movement to bring the ports thereof into registry with the openings and ducts, skirt members on said second valve defining independent passage communicating with the spaced ports thereof, a divided fittin embracing the skirts, liquid communication lines connected to the divided fitting, means on one line to drain liquid from the chambers through one of said ports, and means on the other line tov supply liquid through another'port to other chambers simultaneously.

12. In a gas and liquid pumping and separating apparatus, a supply line adapted to contain a mixture of gas and liquid, a liquid pump for supplying gas-free liquid, a plurality of chambers each provided with an inlet opening, valve means for said openings, means interconnecting the valve means and the supply line to admit quan-,

tities of the mixture to the chambers successive y, a duct for each chamber, a second valve means for the ducts, said second valve means having.

ports one of which is adapted to be registered with one chamber while another port is registered with another chamber, piping connected to the ports of the second valve means, said piping extending to the inlet and the discharge of said liquid pump whereby mixed gas and liquid admitted to the chambers may in turn be delivered to the inlet and liquid from the discharge may be directed to another chamber, an adjustable valve positioned in the discharge piping in advance of said port of said second valve whereby the quantity of liquid supplied by the liquid pump to the chambers may be regulated, anda branch line connected to the liquid pump discharge in advance of the adjustable valve whereby liquid discharged by the liquid pump in excess of the amount able to pass the adjustable valve is diverted from the apparatus.

PORTER S. MORGAN. 

